National Association of University Women honors Rev. Bernyce Clausell with pageant
Pageant contestants who participated in an event to honor Rev. Bernyce Clausell included (from left) Jordan Webb, Ty’Kira Adderly, Alexandria Clark, Miss NAUW, Klahan Lovette, Miss Junior NAUW, Kiara Harper and Kaelyn Sanders.
Special to the Outlook
The Tallahassee branch of the National Association of University Women recently held a pageant that honored the legacy of Rev. Bernyce Clausell, who organized the local chapter more than 60 years ago.
Seven young ladies from area high schools and middle schools participated in the event on Nov. 10. Prior to the pageant, each contestant participated in various workshops over a six-month period. The workshops helped to enhance self-esteem, build social and leadership skills and direct their focus toward public service.
Five were high school participants: Ty’Kira Adderly, a sophomore at Florida A & M University Developmental Research School (FAMU DRS) and the daughter of Shonterra Adderly; Alexandria Clark, a sophomore at Lincoln High School and daughter of George and Iris Clark; Kiara Harper, a senior at FAMU DRS and daughter of Tosha Lovette; Kaelyn Sanders, a freshman at Lincoln High School and daughter of Gene and Valencia Sanders; and Jordan Webb, a freshman at FAMU DRS and daughter of Tonja Webb.
Members of the National Association of University Women’s local chapter greet the students who participated in a recent pageant.
The two middle school participants were Trinity Bellamy, a seventh grade student at FAMU DRS and daughter of VoldRyii Odom, and Khalan Lovett, a sixth grade student at FAMU DRS and daughter of Tosha Lovett.
During the pageant, Jordyn Webb delivered a beautiful greeting of appreciation on behalf of all the pageant participants. Ty’Kira Adderly also performed a moving expressive dance to the song “Glory.”
Each participant modeled casual and formal wear. After giving an informative oration on the life and legacy of Rev. Clausell, Alexandria Clark was crowned Miss NAUW 2019-2020. First-runner up was Jordyn Webb, second-runner up was Kaelyn Sanders, third-runner up was Ty’Kira Adderly and fourth-runner up was Kiara Harper. Khalan Lovette was crowned Miss Junior NAUW 2019-2020 and the first runner-up was Trinity Bellamy.
In 1910, Mary Church Terrell, Sara Brown, Fairfax Brown and Mary Cromwell organized the College Alumnae Club in Washington, D.C., which later became the National Association of University Women. Rev. Clausell organized the Tallahassee branch in 1957 with 13 members. Today the Branch has grown close to 100 active members. Carolyn Davis Cummings, a local attorney, currently serves as the branch president.
Some of the 2019 new members got an opportunity to meet with longstanding members of the National Association of University Women’s local chapter.
Photos courtesy of Carolyn Cummings
